The journey into motherhood is an extraordinary one, a moment in which life opens itself up to new prospects and the beauty of creation takes shape in the womb of a woman.
To have life growing inside you is a unique experience, a time when care and attention become top priorities.
With this in mind, food plays a crucial role because what the future mother eats not only influences her own health, but also the wellbeing of the unborn child.
Amongst the countless joys and questions that go hand in hand with this journey, choosing the right food becomes key.
Confusion over what is safe to eat and what should be avoided is common, and one question that is frequently asked concerns the consumption of raw meat.
In this regard, Prosciutto di San Daniele stands out as not only a safe option but also a delicious one, offering a reassuring solution for mums to be who want to ensure the best for their health and that of the little one on the way.
No risk to the wellbeing of the new mum
Prosciutto di San Daniele is an excellent product in terms of production and is characterised by a long ageing process which makes it safe to eat even during pregnancy.
This is particularly important to preventing toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, a microorganism whose life cycle is entirely intracellular.
Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted via the consumption of infected meat, and poses a higher risk during pregnancy.
The Italian National Institute of Health describes toxoplasmosis as a disease which can cause defects or miscarriage if it is contracted during pregnancy. Transmission to the baby happens via the placenta, potentially resulting in serious complications.
Prosciutto di San Daniele is produced with select pork legs and sea salt, which rest for a prolonged period of time in temperature-controlled refrigerating rooms.
This process, as shown by laboratory studies (“Effects of time and temperature on the viability of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts in enhanced pork loin.” Hill D. E. et al. J. Food Prot. 69 2006), guarantees that the protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis dries up after 8 hours, making San Daniele PDO a safe choice for women during pregnancy.
On the other hand, it is not advised to eat fresh and short-aged cold cuts, as they present a risk profile similar to that of raw meat. Eating raw meat can act as a vehicle for pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii and E. coli, which can pose a danger to the health of the mother and the foetus.
It is important to note that products aged for a long time, such as Prosciutto di San Daniele, are excluded from the list of foods to avoid.
The lengthy processing of these products prevents parasites from multiplying, ensuring that they are safe to eat during pregnancy.
Prosciutto di San Daniele constitutes a culinary delicacy loved by many, and mums to be can safely enjoy this delicious product whilst pregnant.
However, it is advised to opt for the packaged product rather than that you can buy at the deli counter, to avoid risk of potential contamination and ensure maximum safety for the health of the mum and the child on the way.
Unlike deli slicers, which slice many different cold cuts without being disinfected from one product to the next, the slicers used for the packaged San Daniele product are used solely for this purpose and inside a cleanroom.
In this way, exposure to possible pathogens is significantly reduced, thus ensuring that it is a safe and tasty choice for soon-to-be mums.
Prosciutto di San Daniele during pregnancy: a safe delicacy for mums to be
Where food during pregnancy is concerned, research on healthy and safe food becomes a priority.
With this in mind, Prosciutto di San Daniele stands out as an ideal option for expectant mothers, guaranteeing not only a delicious taste but also the highest quality standards.
As a protagonist of the Italian culinary tradition, it is subject to strict controls throughout the entire supply chain, ensuring that every step respects the excellent quality requirements.
The process begins with a scrupulous selection of the pigs, exclusively reared in specific regions of northern and central Italy, following rigorous feeding and treatment protocols outlined in the Production Specification.
Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO stands out for being completely free from preservatives, nitrites and nitrates, respecting the purity of the ingredients.
The goodness of Prosciutto di San Daniele is not only a matter of safety, but also of nutritional value.
This delicious product is rich in high-quality organic protein, which can be easily digested.
The B vitamins it contains contribute to metabolism, cellular respiration and the synthesis of important molecules such as fatty acids and amino acids.
The mineral salts, which include iron, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc, provide essential support to the body’s wellbeing.
The fat composition, mainly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated which are known as “good fats”, contributes to the energy requirements of the expecting mother.
The rigorous adhering to the requirements laid down in the PDO Production Specification ensures controlled and guaranteed production, from the selection of the raw materials to the processes carried out in the consortium’s prosciutto factories.
This constant commitment to high sanitary standards helps to make Prosciutto di San Daniele a safe, delicious, and nutritious choice for women expecting little ones.
With Prosciutto di San Daniele, mums to be can enjoy a perfect blend of sublime taste and peace of mind for their family’s health.
